Method of making alkylene glycols

Abstract

Herein disclosed is a method of hydrating an alkylene oxide. In an embodiment, the method comprises (a) introducing an alkylene oxide into water to form a first stream; (b) flowing the first stream through a high shear device to produce a second stream; and (c) contacting the second stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the alkylene oxide and form an alkylene glycol. In some embodiments, alkylene oxide comprises ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, producing the second stream comprises an energy expenditure of at least about 1000 W/m 3 . In some embodiments, the catalyst comprises an amine, an acid catalyst, an organometallic compound, an alkali metal halide, a quaternary ammonium halide, zeolites, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the alkylene glycol comprises ethylene glycol.

1. A method of hydrating an alkylene oxide comprising:
 (a) introducing an alkylene oxide into water to form a first stream; 
 (b) passing the first stream through a high shear device to hydrate the alkylene oxide to produce a second stream comprising an alkylene glycol; and 
 (c) recovering the alkylene glycol from the second stream. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said high shear device comprises a catalytic surface. 
     
     
       3. A method of producing polyethylene glycol comprising:
 introducing ethylene oxide and water or ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol oligomer into a high shear device to produce a first stream; and 
 subjecting said first stream to a catalyst that promotes the formation of polyethylene glycol. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein said high shear device comprises a catalytic surface that promotes the formation of polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising contacting the first stream with a catalyst in the high shear device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high shear device is operable at a tip speed of at least about 23 msec. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high shear device is operable at a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s −1 . 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high shear device is operable with an energy expenditure of at least about 1000 W/m 3 . 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the high shear device is operable at a tip speed of at least about 23 msec. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the high shear device is operable at a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s −1 . 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the high shear device is operable with an energy expenditure of at least about 1000 W/m 3 .